When Joachim Lang‘s film “Cranko” premiered at the Stuttgart Opera on September 20th, ballet fans fell at his feet. However, one person is angry: Thomas Aders. He published a novel about Cranko four years ago and finds that the film is surprisingly similar to his book.
When a film resembles a book, it is commonly called a film adaptation of a book. If a filmmaker only orients himself on a written work, the credits often say “based on motifs from…”. And then this is discussed and negotiated with the author. However, if a film is like a book that it doesn’t mention at all, then what is it?
The film “Cranko” by Joachim Lang is currently showing in cinemas. Lang filmed the life of John Cranko on behalf of the production company Zeitsprung Pictures and SWR. The choreographer, who led the Stuttgart Ballet to world fame from 1960 until his death in 1973 and who is still deeply revered by the ballet scene today, was a wild character, a soulful artist, depressed, alcoholic, fun-loving and charming. So far, the ballet experts and ballet enthusiasts agree. To this day, Cranko choreographies are performed at the Great House in Stuttgart; other companies have to pay a lot of money if they want to do it. This money then flows to the John Cranko Foundation of former Cranko friend Reid Anderson (context reported).
In short: When it comes to Cranko, especially in Stuttgart, many people are blown away and the words “genius” and “ballet miracle” are always mentioned at some point. The filmmaker Joachim Lang has now taken on this man and shot the film “Cranko” and is also responsible for the script. Cranko’s life in Stuttgart is covered in two hours and eight minutes, classical play scenes alternate with ballet scenes, either excerpts from performances can be seen or the Stuttgart Ballet company dances in front of the opera house, on a meadow, on a park bench.
One critic notices the similarities
At the premiere of the film in the Stuttgart Opera House, filmmakers, producers and actors presented themselves on a red carpet. The “Stuttgarter Zeitung” headlined “Cannes is on Lake Eckensee for one night” and talked about the “most beautiful opera house in the world” and “fantastic scenery”. The audience cried, gave standing ovations for minutes and a former dancer is quoted as saying that the film deserved an Oscar. It was released quite successfully in cinemas in October, and the numerous reviews are mostly positive, only a few as the FAZ finds“There are probably few clichés about art that don’t appear in this film.” On the industry portal “Tanznetz.de” draws critic Annette Bopp – according to her comments, undoubtedly a Cranko fan – gives a mixed conclusion and writes about scenes and dialogues “which are also reminiscent of the novel ‘SeelenTanz’ by Thomas Aders in quite a few places.”
